Crime drama series DCI Banks has been cancelled after five series.
The latest run of the cop show – starring Stephen Tompkinson as Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks – concluded in October.
And ITV has now said it has “taken the decision not to recommission” the series.
The broadcaster said in a statement: “We’re grateful to the production team at Left Bank Pictures for creating the world of DCI Banks and the actors Stephen Tompkinson, Andrea Lowe and Caroline Catz for the commitment and dedication they’ve shown to their roles.”
It has also been announced that Brief Encounters, which starred Angela Griffin and Penelope Wilton and charted the early years of Ann Summers, has been axed after airing for one series this summer.
ITV said it had been a “difficult decision” not to renew the programme for a second series, adding: “As a broadcaster we seek to commission a diverse range of drama and as a consequence continually refresh our drama portfolio.”
Writer Oriane Messina, who penned the show along with Fay Rusling, posted a message on social media thanking viewers.
Brief Encounters 😢#briefencounters pic.twitter.com/MPzJwOQG0Y
— oRiaNe mEsSinA (@orianemessina) November 7, 2016
Viewers are clearly unimpressed about the departure of both shows.
Gutted #DCIBanks has been cancelled 🙁
— Elaine Ramsey (@ER720) November 9, 2016
#ITV scrap another drama. This time DCI Banks. They're as bad as the #BBC for not re-commissioning programmes the viewers watched.
— Nick Jury (@TheRealNickJury) November 8, 2016
What are you doing @ITV #BriefEncounters was a brilliantly written show. Really is a stupid move to axe it.
— GrumpyOldMick (@onlyonebirdy) November 8, 2016
And one Brief Encounters fan wrote online: “Don’t even bother getting emotionally involved with a tv series on @ITV, they rip out your heart by cancelling the series.”
